PALO ALTO — A lot of homeowners are unaware that their houses, whether new or old, won’t last forever. They don’t seem to realize that nearly every component of the home (and there are thousands) has a finite shelf life. Eventually, these components will wear out, get old and fail, while in other cases they may just fall out of fashion.

Small items that fail aren’t usually a big deal…if you can catch them early and attend to them right away. Big components that fail are another matter. Plumbing, water heaters, roofing, gutters, windows, doors, siding, and foundations that wear out and fail can cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace.

I recommend learning the ages and expected lifespans of the various key parts of your home. From there, you can project when major expenses are likely to occur and plan accordingly. If you need help with this, a home maintenance professional can be a great resource.

PALO ALTO — Have you noticed white, powdery blotches on a stone, concrete, or tile surface in or around your home? This phenomenon is known as efflorescence, a common blight that can affect any masonry surface.

Efflorescence is seen most often in areas like joints and grout lines, and it can occur on both flat and vertical surfaces. It’s caused when moisture is drawn into a masonry material via a process known as capillary action—the same process that allows tree roots to transfer water from the soil up to the leaves. As moisture is drawn through the masonry material, it becomes saturated with minerals and salt. When the moisture finally reaches the outer surface of the material, it evaporates, leaving the minerals and salt behind. This is what creates the chalky deposits that are often found on stone, concrete and tile surfaces.

The tricky thing about efflorescence is it can occur even where there are no obvious signs of moisture. Worse still, once efflorescence has taken effect, it’s very difficult to correct. You can remove it by scrubbing with a stiff brush and muriatic acid, but unless the moisture is dealt with at its root, the condition will almost inevitably return. In rare cases, the moisture will evaporate on its own, but usually, it needs to be eliminated so the masonry can dry.

Naturally, the best way to avoid efflorescence is to prevent it from happening in the first place. One smart step is placing moisture barriers directly beneath any concrete or mortar base material. You can also make a stone, concrete or tile installation less prone to efflorescence by using materials with low salt and mineral content, as well as reducing the amount of water used in concrete or mortar mixes and allowing them to thoroughly dry.

Another helpful step is incorporating proper drainage measures during construction. For exterior walls, drainage space and weep holes must be in place to allow water that enters the interior or backside to escape through the bottom. Additionally, waterproof flashing or cap material should be installed along the top of any exposed walls. These proactive measures will go a long way toward preventing efflorescence.

LOS ALTOS — Modern front-loading washing machines offer several benefits: In addition to their sleek design, they’re more energy- and water-efficient than their top-loading predecessors. Plus, clothes come out of the spin cycle nearly dry, which reduces dryer runtime. However, there’s one thing you should be aware of if you own a front-loading washer—otherwise, you might notice that your clothes smell a little musty.

Because of their design, front-loading washers tend to retain more latent moisture than top-loading models. One area where this can really be an issue is the rubber door seal, which has numerous folds where moisture can collect. Additionally, the configuration of the tubs in front-loading washers makes it difficult to get all the water out.

Due to the presence of residual moisture, mildew can start to develop inside your washer, and once it gains a foothold, it’s difficult to remove. One simple way to avoid this is to leave your washer’s door open when it’s not in use, which will provide more air ventilation. It’s also a good idea to clean the seal and tub on a regular basis, as well as to run a cycle with a mildewcide tablet on occasion. Altogether, these proactive measures will help keep your washer mildew-free.

LOS ALTOS — There are areas in every home where proactive maintenance is critical for preventing water damage. One of these areas is the rain gutter and downspout system. Few homeowners realize that malfunctioning gutter and downspout systems are one of biggest sources of property damage, and repairing that damage is often an expensive process.

When there isn’t a controlled means for rainwater to get from the roof to the ground, it can splash back onto the house and cause water damage to doors, windows, and siding. Also, if rainwater falls too close to a home’s foundation, it can lead to issues like settlement and cracking.

To avoid these kinds of problems, it’s critical to make sure your gutter and downspout system is functioning properly. The best way to do this is to keep it clear of debris. When leaves and other debris are left to accumulate in your gutters, they can clog the downspouts and cause the gutters to overflow. In a worst-case scenario, the weight of the water will pull the gutters away from your house, resulting in structural damage.

Some modern gutter and downspout systems are equipped with features that greatly simplify maintenance. For instance, some systems have demountable downspouts for easy removal and cleaning. Another feature is a trap door clean-out near the bottom of the downspout, which keeps leaves and other debris from washing into your underground drainage.

If your current drainage system isn’t equipped with these types of features, consider installing a gutter protection system. Situated along a home’s roof line, gutter protectors keep debris out of the gutters while allowing water to pass through. They can be pricey to install, but they’ll save you a substantial amount of money in the long run by guarding against catastrophic damage.